Going green is beneficial for the private home, while benefiting the environment at large too. You can switch up some things where you live to use less electricity and save money as well. Read through this article for great tips on how you can use green energy technology in your own home.
The U.S. Government makes grant funds available as an incentive for consumers to start using green energy. Speak with the government in your area about these programs. Depending on your local energy programs, you could end up getting a renewable energy system set up for your home for free.
If you use oil to heat your home, see if biofuel can be used instead. Depending on your system, you may be able to switch to biodiesel without having to make any modifications to your system. Biodiesel can assist you in cutting your environmental impact when it is cold, because it burns more efficiently and cleaner than petroleum.
Hot water can be obtained in a low cost, environmentally friendly manner through solar energy. Buy a hot-water system that is solar-powered. You can select from direct circulation systems or indirect varieties. If you have been plagued by frozen or broken pipes in the past, an indirect one could be for you.
Storm Windows
Help to control the air flow in your own home by installing a storm door and storm windows too. Storm doors and windows lessen the amount of cold air drafts that come in. Homes equipped with storm windows and doors can see an increase in energy efficiency of up to 45 percent.
Trade out your older, tank-style water heater for a tankless model that is more green. Tankless heaters still use electricity or gas to provide hot water, but they only heat the water you actually need. Tankless heaters come in various models that either supply a single faucet or the whole house with hot water.
Dress in warm clothes to cut costs! You can wear a heavy sweater instead of a light one to give yourself more warmth when you’re at home. The more layers you wear at home, the less energy you will need to use heating your house.
A solar oven is an energy efficient way of baking. You can make one from an old window, cardboard box, and tin foil. Solar ovens can be heated over 300 degrees and only use the sun for energy.
If you’re one of many who wants to live an environmentally friendly life, there’s plenty you can do. You do not have to spend money to help, but you can clean your furnace filters once each month and set your heat to 60 degrees if you are not home. You can also help reduce energy usage by reducing the temperature of your water heater to 120 degrees. Each step you take, no matter how small, will count!
Write reminders for energy-efficient goals and check your utility bills. The more aware you are of using energy, the easier it is to reduce your energy use. For instance, if you make an effort to lower your electricity or water usage, it’s more likely that you will also try to use appliances and lights less often.
Carpooling is a great way to save energy for transportation needs, even if your trip is to the mall or an after-school event. Kids can also form carpools to school by alternating parents days. You could also start doing your grocery shopping with neighbors or friends and switch on and off with who does the driving.
One way to make your home use less energy is to weatherize it. Sealing ducts, using energy-efficient windows, and adding insulation can reduce energy consumption. These items will also mean lower energy costs on your monthly bill.
Save a substantial amount of money on your monthly bill by heating each room separately. The best way to accomplish this is to get a floor heating solution with a main board that allows you to monitor different areas and choose a specific temperature. That is a great solution, particularly if your home is large.
During the winter, keep using ceiling fans. Switching them to the clockwise rotation lets them push the warm air from your ceiling where it collects, which reduces use of your heating appliances. The amount of electricity used by the fan is offset by energy savings you acquire by not running your heater as much.
There are a few different ways to reduce your energy consumption when doing laundry. Provided your dryer has it, the moisture sensor setting will shut down your dryer as soon as your clothes have been dried completely. Using the high-spin speed will reduce the moisture in clothing and decrease the time needed for drying. Regular cleaning of filters and vents for your dryer will make it more efficient.
As you can see, it really can be quite simple and inexpensive to go green. Even a few small changes can make a world of difference in energy consumption. Use the tips offered here, and share them so we can all do what we can for the environment.